The Journey of
A Mighty Spirit

In 'King Lear,' Shakespeare explores a whole new ghastly metaphysics

By

Robert Brustein

Updated Sept. 24, 2005 12:01 a.m. ET

"King Lear" is not only Shakespeare's crowning masterpiece, it may very well be the greatest play ever written. Performed for over 150 years in an "improved" happy-ending version by the 17th-century playwright Nahum Tate (where Lear returns to life, and Cordelia survives to marry Edgar), the work has often seemed much too painful for audiences. Yet, it has been embraced by some of our greatest actors -- Laurence Olivier, Paul Scofield, Ian Holm, F. Murray Abraham, Robert Stephens, Michael Gambon and Christopher Plummer among them. All have created wonderful moments; few have succeeded in achieving...